Curtain-fixture.



No. 710,644. Patented Oct. 7, I902.

C. J. WILTSIE.

CURTAIN-FIXTURE.

(Application filed ug 1 1901 1 (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

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No. 710,644. Patehted Oct. 7, I902.

c. .1. WILTSIE.

CURTAIN FIXTURE.

(Application filed Aug. 12, 1901.) I

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

Inventor:-

S" Y. U QAQMAA attorney.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CORNELIUS .I. WILTSIE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO WILTSIE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORA- TION OF ILLINOIS.

.CURTAlN-FIXTURE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 710,644, dated October '7, 1902. Application filed August 12, 1901. Serial No. 71,787. (No model.)

.To a whom it ntay concern.-

Be it known that I, CORNELIUS J. WILTsIE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Chicago, county of Cook, and StateofIllinois,haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Curtain-Fixtures, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

In curtain-fixtures of the class wherein the shade-roller may be raised or lowered on the window-frame, so as to admit light either below or over the top of the shade, the settling of the building or warping of the casing often throws the parts of fixtures when made in the usual manner out of line, so that they bind and become inoperative.

My invention is designed to overcome these objections and at the same. time provide a simple, cheap, and easily-operated fixture the parts of which after the supporting-brackets are once in place can be easily assembled without the use of screws or bolts in their proper relation without danger of their binding and being difficult of manipulation because of such errors as the household genius, whose services are usually called into requisition to put such things up, is liable to make. This I accomplish by the means hereinafter fully described and as particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is avertical section through the upper portion of a windowframe broken away in part and showing a side elevation of my invention applied to one side of the window-frame inside the windowcasing. Fig. 2 is a similar View looking in the opposite direction. Fig. 3 is a plan View of the under side of the sheave-hanger of the curtain-fixture shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 4: is a similar view of the bracket for supporting the lower end of the guide-rod of the fixture shown in said Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 5 is aside elevation of a modified form of my improvements applied on the outside of the windowframe. Fig. 6 is a plan View of the under side of the upper guide-rod bracket of the fixture shown'in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the lower guide-rod bracket of the same. Fig. 8 is a plan View of the square journalhanger. Fig. 9 is a section on line 9 9, Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings, the shade-roller carriers or bearings are adapted to receive the journals of any ordinary shade-roller and are designed to slide on vertically-disposed guide-rods B B, that are secured at either end by brackets C to the window jamb or casing. Cords D are fastened at one end to each of these carriers or bearings A. A and from thence extend up to and pass over sheaves E, journaled in the upper rod-brackets and have their free ends brought down the side of the casing within easy operating distance, where they are secured in any convenient manner around a cleat F or otherwise. By means of these cords the shade-roller may be raised and lowered in a familiar manner.

Referring now to the features of construction which'constitute in part my invention, the roller-bearings A- A are each provided with vertically-alining horizontal lugs 01,, projecting from their upper and lower ends, which are apertured to slide on the guiderod B. In case the latter is cylindrical, as is preferably the case, a spline at, extending from the body of the bearing, preferably between and in line with these lugs a, euters a longitudinal groove 1), which extends from end to end of the rod. The relative width of this spline and the groove permits a slight rotary movement of the bearing on the rod.v In case the latter is polygonal the lugs a are adapted to have non-rotative sliding engagement with the rod. A horizontal ear or lug a extends from the upper edge of the bearing in line with and opposite to the upper rod-lug a and affords a point of attachment for the end of the operating-cord D, which is secured thereto in vertical alinement with the journal of the shade-roller. This arrangement, coupled with the fact that the distance from the rod B to the point of attachment of the cord is less than the distance between the rod-lugs co Ct, prevents any possible binding of the bearings on their respective guides. As a further detail of construction the bearing which receives. the cylindrical journal of the roller is preferably a vertical plate, presenting a concave or dished side or face a to the end of the roller that is centrally apertured. Said concave face is provided to afford a guide to assist in inserting the roller-trunnion. The companion bearing, in case it is adapted for use with the ordinary spring or balanced roller,is provided with a vertical slot a, open at the top to receive the squared journal of the roller. This slot is of course in vertical alinement with the point of attachment of the cord, and the lug to which this latter is secured is brought forward over the roller, so as to form a stop, which prevents any accidental displacement of the latter. The parts in both bearings are so disposed and proportioned that the end of the roller never touches the rods or brackets.

The lower end of each of the guide-rods B is provided with a squared tenon b, which engages a rectangular opening 0 in the horizontal extension of a lower guide-bracket O,whose screw-plate c is secured to the casing by suitable means. Said teuon, aperture, and groove are so positioned as to cause the hearings to always lie in a perpendicular plane transverse to the plane of the window. The shoulder formed by the tenon rests on the extension, thereby supporting the rod, while the tenor and its re ceiving-aperture are so proportioned as to afford a slight angular or partial rotary movement to the rod. The upper end of the rod passes through an aperture 0 in the upper rod-bracket. Said bracket comprises a base 0 secured by screws to the under face of the lintel. Two downwardly-projecting lugs c 0 project from the edges of the base parallel to the window and afford support to a flanged roller E, journaled on a pivot-pin passing therethrough. Said roller is in substantial vertical alinement over the point of attachment of the cord D to the bearing A or A. The outer lug c is provided with an outward horizontal extension 0 in which is the aperture ciwhich, as aforesaid, receives the upper portion of the rod. The latter is limited or prevented from upward movement by the window-lintel, which its upper end closely approaches.

The form of brackets hereinabove described is adapted for a roller or curtain which is to hang between the sides or jambs of the window-casing. Then it is desired to hang the curtain against the face of the casing proper, the form of brackets shown in Figs. 5 to 7 is employed. In this event the lower bracket, which has the longitudinal slot 0 for enga ing the tenoned end of the rod, projects a sufficient distance from the casing to give the proper clearance to the roller. The upper bracket H has a screw-plate h secured to the side of the casing in the usual manner. EX- tending from its outer face are two horizontal lugs. The lower of these, h, is provided with an aperture 712, adapted to receive the upper end of the guide-rod, while the upper ing it is imperforate and serves as a stop to limit the upward motion of the rod. Between these lugs and the plate It the body of the bracket h is divided into two corresponding branches, between which a flanged cord-roller, similar to roller E, is revolubly mounted. As a further detail the lower portion of the rollerframe thus formed on either side of the roller is curved or cut away, as clearly shown in Fig. 6, so that the cord passing over the roller will not be worn by contact with the edges of the shank.

The apertures in the upper brackets through which the upper ends of the rods pass are made of sufficient size to permit a certain amount of lateral movement of the rods. Consequently the rods are balanced on the tenon-shoulders and are free to be moved laterally within small limits. When the roller is mounted in its bearings, the rods adjust themselves to the proper distances, being constrained so to do by the engaging lugs of the bearings. In case the window-jambs warp or are otherwise thrown out of line the consequent displacement of the rod brackets does not affect the rods, which adapt themselves to the new position, and there cannot in any way be a binding or other hindrance of the movement of the bearings thereon. Another very essential feature is that the parts are so patterned as to accommodate any form of roller-journal on the market without any alteration or adjustment. This would be impossible Were it not for the automatic alining of parts and the peculiar construction of the bearings.

It will be understood that the form of parts herein described may be varied within wide limits without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not limit myself to the specific design save as set forth in certain of the claims.

What I claim as new is 1. Curtain-fixtures comprising two vertical guide-rods, brackets supporting said rods at either end, and permitting a slight angular and lateral movement thereof, shade-roller bearings comprising each a roller journal bearing-plate, a lugat either end thereof having sliding engagement with one of said guiderods, a spline extending from the bearing plane entering a groove in said rod, and cords passing over rollers in the upper pair of said rod-brackets each secured to one of said bearings, the point of attachment of each of said cords to its respective bearings being in vertical alinement with the shade-roller, journalbearing, and with the point of support of the cord on the upper bracket.

2. Curtain fixtures comprising vertical guide-rods, brackets supporting said rods at either end, and permitting a slight angular and lateral movement thereof, shade-roller bearings comprising each a roller-journal bearing-plate, a lug at eitherend thereof having sliding,engagement with one of said guiderods, a spline, extending from the bearing plane enteringa groove in said rod, and cords passing over rollers in the upper pair of said rod-brackets each secured to one of said bearings, the point of attachment of each of said cords to its respective bearing being in vertical alinement with the shade-roller bearing and with the point of support of the cord on the upper bracket, and the distance between the point of attachment and the guide-rod being less than the distance between the bearing-lugs engaging said rods.

3. In a curtain-fixture,a shade-roller bearing adapted to slide in a vertical guide, comprising a centrally-apertured bearing-plate presenting a concave face to the adjacent shade-roller end, lugs extending from either end of said plate apertured to slide on the rod, a spline projecting from said plate between said lugs adapted to engage a groove in said rod, and a perforated lug on the upper side of said plate over its central aperture adapted to receive the end of an adjustingcord.

&. In a curtain-fixture of the class described, an upper cord-bracket comprising a base adapted to be secured to a window-casing, a shank extending at right angles thereto, horizontal parallel lugs extending from the outer end of said shank, the lower of said lugs having an aperture greater in diameter than and up through which upper end of a vertical guide-rod passes, and a roller horizontally journaled in said shank in an opening therein between the lugs and the base.

5. Curtain-fixtures comprising two vertical, parallel-disposed guide-rods having a limited movement in planes transverse to each other, shade carriers having sliding engagement thereon and capable of limited independent lateral movement, and means for raising and lowering said carriers.

6. Curtain-fixtures comprising two vertical parallel disposed guide rods, brackets in which the upper and lower ends of said rods are loosely retained, shade-carriers having sliding engagement thereon and means for raising and lowering said carriers;

7. Curtain-fixtures comprising two vertical parallel-disposed guide-rods having a limited movement in planes transverse to each other, shade carriers having sliding engagement thereon, and means for raising and lowering said carriers.

8. Curtain-fixtures comprising two vertical parallel disposed guide rods, brackets in which the upper and lower ends of said rods are loosely retained, shadecarriers having sliding engagement thereon and capable of limited independent lateral movement, and means for raising and lowering said carriers.

9. In a curtain-roller fixture, the combination with the guide-rods having tenons at their lower ends, lower brackets having openings in the projecting arms thereof, which support said rods and into the openings of which the tenons of said rods enter and have a limited play, and upper brackets having openings therein of such dimensions that the upper ends of said rods pass therethrough and have limited play therein,of the shade-rollers,sliding shade-roller brackets, and cords and pulleys for raising and lowering said rollerbrackets.

10. In a curtain-roller fixture, the combination with the guide-rods having squared tenons at their lower ends, lower brackets having laterally elongated openings therein, which support said rods and into the openings of which the tenons of said rods enter and have a limited lateral play, and upper brackets having openings therein of such dimensions that the upper ends of said rods pass therethrough and have limited play therein, of the shade-rollers, sliding sh ado-roller brackets, and cords and pulleys for raising and lowering said roller-brackets.

11. In a curtain-roller fixture,the combination with the guide rods provided with squared tenons at their lower ends, lower brackets having laterally-elongated openings in the projecting arms thereof, which support said rods and into the openings of which the tenons of said rods enter and have a limited lateral play, and upper brackets having two parallel lugs projecting therefrom the upper imperforate one of which is located above the upper end of said rods such a distance as to permit said rods to have a limited vertical play, and the lower lugs of which have openings therein of such dimensions that the unreduced upper ends of said rods pass therethrough and have limited play, of the shade-rollers, sliding shade-roller brackets, and cords and pulleys for raising and lowering said roller-brackets.

12. In a curtain-roller fixture, the combination with the guide-rods having longitudinal grooves therein and provided with tenons extending from theirlower ends, lowerbrackets having an opening in the projecting arms thereof which supports said rods, and into the openings of which the tenons of said rods enter and have limited play, and upperbrackets having openings therein of such dimensions that the upper ends of said rods pass therethrough and have limited play, of the shade roller, sliding shaderoller brackets, having splines or tenons projecting into and engaging said grooves so as to permit said shade-roller brackets to have limited lateral swing or play, and cords and pulleys for raising said shade-roller brackets.

13. In a curtain-roller fixture, the combination with the guide-rods having longitudinal grooves therein, and provided with square tenons at their lower ends, lower brackets having laterally-elongated openings in the arms projecting therefrom which support said rods and into the openings of which the tenons of said rods enter and have a limited lateral play, and upper brackets having openings in the lugs thereof of such dimensions that the upper ends of said rods pass therethrough and have a limited play, of the shade-roller, sliding shade-roller brackets, having splines or tenons projecting into the grooves of said rods and adapted to permit of a limited lateral rotative movement of said shade-roller &

brackets, and cords and pulleys for raising and lowering said shade-roller brackets.

14. In a curtain-roller fixture, the combination with the guide-rods having longitudinal grooves therein, and provided with square tenons extending from their lower ends, lower brackets having a lateral elongated opening in the projecting arms thereof, which supports said rods and into the openings of which the tenons of said rods enter and have alimited lateral play, and upper brackets having parallel horizontal lugs the upperimperforate one of which is so located as to permit said rods to have a limited vertical play, and the lower one of which has an opening therein of such dimensions that the upper ends of said rods extend therethrough and have limited lateral play therein, of the shade-roller, sliding shade-roller brackets having splines or tenons extending into the grooves of said guide-rods and adapted to permit said shaderoller brackets to have a limited lateral rotative movement, and cords and pulleys for raising and lowering said shade-roller brackets.

CORNELIUS J. WILTSIE.

Witnesses:

W. E. GARDNER, FRANK D. THoMAsoN. 

